The district administration of Attock has appointed an 18-year-old thalassemia patient named Muneeba Maqsood as the honorary Deputy Commissioner (DC) for one day.

DC Rao Atif Raza invited Maqsood to assume the ceremonial role on Monday. She arrived at the office alongside her parents, where she took the official chair and received a briefing regarding the administrative and governance functions of the district.

Maqsood later shared her perspective on the initiative, saying, “Today is not just a day for me, it is a dream that I never thought I could touch. I may be living with illness, but I also carry big dreams. Sitting in this chair has given me courage to believe that life can still be beautiful, and that no dream is too far away if you keep hope alive.”

She also discussed her medical condition.

“I want to become stronger, I want to fight my illness with bravery, and I want to show other children like me that we are not weak, we are fighters with dreams,”

Her parents attended the event to witness the administrative appointment. Her father noted the daily challenges and uncertainties associated with managing thalassemia.

“As parents of a thalassemia patient, we live with constant uncertainty. We know our daughter faces challenges that most children never have to think about. Watching her sit in the deputy commissioner’s chair today is something we can hardly put into words. The district administration has fulfilled a dream that she had cherished for years,” he said.

Her mother stated that the event marked one of the proudest days of their lives.

DC Rao Atif Raza explained that the administration designed the initiative to provide psychological and emotional support to children managing chronic medical conditions, with a specific focus on thalassemia.

Prior to the event at the secretariat, Raza conducted a site visit to the Thalassemia Centre Attock. During the inspection, he interacted with pediatric patients receiving medical care, managed the distribution of prescribed medicines, and evaluated the operational capacity of the healthcare facilities and current treatment protocols.

Raza stated that the district administration will maintain its support to enhance patient care systems and welfare services at the facility.